[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 173 (Thursday, December 13, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2286]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            STOP CANNED HUNTING, THE RESPONSIBLE THING TO DO

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 12, 2001

  Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, Tooday I am introducing the 
``Captive Exotic Animal Protection Act of 2001'' It is a bill to combat 
the unfair and inhumane practice of ``canned hunting.''
  At more than 1,000 commercial ``canned hunt'' operations across the 
country, trophy hunters pay a fee to shoot captive exotic animals--from 
African lions to giraffes to blackbuck antelope--in fenced enclosures 
in which the animals have no reasonable chance of escape. Most of the 
hunts are guaranteed--in that the ranch owner assures the ``client'' 
that he will secure an exotic trophy. It's a ``no kill, no pay'' 
arrangement. The animals on hunting ranches--procured from exotic 
animal dealers--have often lived a life being fed by hand and have 
little or no fear of humans; that fact, coupled with their confinement 
in a fenced area, all but assure a successful ``hunt.''
  This bill will complement the efforts undertaken by states to 
restrict this practice. California and other states already outlaw this 
practice. In November 2000, voters in Montana approved a ballot 
initiative to ban the practice of shooting animals in fenced 
enclosures. The individuals who spearheaded this campaign were, it is 
important to note, lifelong hunters. They were members of groups such 
as the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the Montana Wildlife Federation, 
and the Montana Bowhunters' Association--all of which avidly support 
hunting, but oppose canned hunts. This is a strong indicator that 
``canned hunts'' are out of step with common principles governing 
responsible hunting.
  The regulation of the transport and treatment of exotic mammals on 
shooting preserves, however, falls outside the traditional domains of 
state agriculture departments and state fish and game agencies. In 
short, these animals often fall into regulatory limbo at the state 
level. In order to address this problem, which directly involves an 
issue of interstate commerce, since exotic mammals are those which 
typically are sold across state lines or imported because they are not 
native to the United States, I am introducing the ``Captive Exotic 
Animal Protection Act.''
  This bill will halt the interstate shipment of exotic mammals for the 
purpose of being shot in a fenced enclosure for entertainment or a 
trophy. It is sensible legislation that is backed by responsible 
hunters, animal protection advocates, wildlife scientists, 
environmentalists, and zoological professionals. The Senate has the 
same bill before it for consideration.
  This bill will not limit the licensed hunting of any native mammals 
or any native or exotic birds. The state fish and game agencies 
regulate and license the hunting of native species. A federal remedy is 
needed, however, to deal with the purely commercial interstate movement 
of exotics destined to be killed at ``canned hunting'' ranches.
  This bill supports responsible hunting, while curbing something so 
out-of-bounds with hunting norms that hunters and animal advocates 
alike view it as unfair and inhumane.

                          ____________________